1
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
she listened with deep affliction as her daughter told her about the latest trouble she was in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved
felt such great affliction over the destruction of the beautiful old home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in curse
a source of harm or misfortune
alcohol has been his affliction ever since he took his first drink at the age of 12
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in injury
something that causes loss or pain
cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of affliction
For this reason, middle age is often a time of crisis in the life of a perfectionist, though the affliction manifests at all ages.
—
Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Would the same affliction not have affected Queen Elizabeth, who was 4 years older than Princess Margaret?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Aug. 2025
In a confrontation with the Fantastic Four, Galactus reveals that long ago, he was cursed with this affliction and must destroy planets because of an undying hunger that now lives within him.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 25 July 2025
In the 10th century, Italy’s famed medical school in Salerno discovered that citrus could be the solution to the dreaded nautical affliction scurvy.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Would the same affliction not have affected Queen Elizabeth, who was 4 years older than Princess Margaret?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Aug. 2025
In a confrontation with the Fantastic Four, Galactus reveals that long ago, he was cursed with this affliction and must destroy planets because of an undying hunger that now lives within him.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 25 July 2025
In the 10th century, Italy’s famed medical school in Salerno discovered that citrus could be the solution to the dreaded nautical affliction scurvy.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
-
Eileen’s imminent arrival is made even more dramatic when a younger woman named Thea (Imogen Poots) turns up at Hedda’s door in a state of distress.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
-
However, without Chinese demand, this abundant supply threatens to further depress prices and worsen farmers’ financial distress.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel Hamnet imagined the relationship between the Bard and his spouse as an intimate tale of lust, compromise, joy, resentment, support, and sorrow.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Jolie nonetheless manages to bring some palpable life to the role, complicating her otherworldly magnetism with a dawning dread and sorrow.—
Richard Lawson,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Now, the princess must gather enough strength from herself and her triplet brothers to undo a curse.—
Sydni Ellis,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
As rocks and curses flew from the street, bullets spat from the middle window on the south side of the house.—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are returning as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren who are trying to vanquish a demon from a family’s home.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The inevitable showdown between the demon, which manifests in various forms during the film, is wild and exhausting, and gives Wilson and Farmiga, as consistent and excellent as always throughout, a powerful performative and emotional last stand.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And Henry Rutledge, who missed the Week 1 matchup with a lower-body injury, returned to action and resulted in Charlotte’s longest rush of the night on his second carry – 14 yards.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Laurel Ivory was the goalkeeper who claimed the clean sheet for KC on Saturday night, as Lorena appeared on the injury report late in the week with a knee ailment.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hank, having already experienced life-changing failure, is also able to absorb beatings that would destroy most people, endure the agony, and leap back into action.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The buddy story ended in agony when it was revealed that Edwards was on the list and complicit in the ambush plot.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Haley Robson described the anguish caused by ever-metastasizing Epstein conspiracy theories and endless Epstein news cycles, and her hope that releasing the files could finally put the case to bed.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Above all, there’s Rob, whose romantic getaway has turned into a slog of romantic anguish.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This year, the landscape has been altered in their favor as their top nemesis, King Philip, recently dropped to Div.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Miami advanced as Lionel Messi’s two goals led a 3-1 home win over nemesis Orlando.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share